Kennedy-Price-Shaw House: Founder of University High School & Ole Miss "Cookie Lady"
- Jay Brothers
- May 2
- 2 min read
Was at 1701 Jackson Ave. Oxford, MS
Circa 1860. Large 2-story red brick home
The home was built on the original Pontotoc Rd. - now East Jackson.
Original owner, Dave Kennedy, an Oxford brick maker made the exterior walls 14 in. thick. The home was hidden behind woods on a high bank on the ridge.
Because of financial difficulties prior to the Civil War, he had to sell/ the property to Huldric Price (1839-1903) and Lucy Carter Richards Price (1851-1924)(m.1872) of Oak Grove. Price moved his family to the new home in Oxford - following his brother Bem Prices' lead. In 1897, when yellow fever spread in Oxford, Huldric and his family removed to the more isolated Monteagle, TN for safely. The family retained ownership until the 1920s.
It was later bought by Dr. Oliver Abbot (O. A.) Shaw (1870-1945) and Alma Billinglsey Shaw (1892-1984). The son of Oliver Shaw, Dr. Shaw was a Univ. of Miss. professor and the first dean of the School of Education. He also helped found University High School which operated from 1930-1963. It was the only school of its kind in the country; afterward Oxford High School was started. The Price’s daughter-in-law, Eleanor Stroud Shaw owned the home next. She was married to O.A. Shaw, Jr. (1918-2008). She was a fixture at Ole Miss events for 50 years and was famed as the “Cookie Lady,” and “Miss Eleanor.” She was later inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame.
In 2013, a developer Sid Brian (HEVI Construction) and Shaw Properties, LLC purchased the Shaw House and its five acres. The land around the historic home was developed (Shaw Place and Kennedy Cove), and the home was restored. The new Shaw House owner is Joel Lyons.
See Price tie
Sources:
Comments